Wednesday Night's RecapMinnesota 90, Houston 84The Timberwolves won their second consecutive game to improve their record to 8-9 with their 90-84 victory over the Rockets Wednesday night. Kevin Garnett paved the way with 24 points and 12 rebounds while Mike James contributed 19 points and five assists. It was a back and forth game that saw 10 lead changes and seven ties.The Wolves were down 25-20 after the first quarter, but they rallied with a big second quarter to hold a 43-40 lead at the half. Mike James knocked down all of his shots in the quarter (3-3 field goals and 1-1 free throws) for eight points in the second frame. Although the lead would change hands six times in the second half, Minnesota led at the end of three quarters and held off Houston to pick up the win. The Rockets leading scorers, Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, were both held below their season averages. Yao scored 14 (25.7 average entering the game) and McGrady also pitched in with 14 (18.8 average entering the game).

Next GameMinnesota vs. UtahTarget Center - Friday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.The Northwest Division-leading Utah Jazz (15-4) come to town for their first matchup of the season with the Wolves (8-9). Minnesota will pit its 5-3 home record against Utah's 5-3 road record. It's the first of back-to-back contests for the Wolves, their sixth set of back-to-back games this season. Last season the Jazz took three of four games against the Wolves and they currently lead the all-time series, 24-49.

Friday's BroadcastCatch Friday's game against the Jazz on KSTC TV, Channel 45 and the radio home of the Wolves, BOB 106 (106.1 FM).

The Best YetRicky Davis raised the bar on his season-bests with his performance against the Rockets Wednesday. The veteran guard was in a generous mood, setting a team season-high with nine assists and also set his personal high for the year with seven rebounds - eclipsing his previous bests of eight and five. His career-high in both categories is 12.

A couple other Wolves also set or tied season-highs on Wednesday. Troy Hudson handed out five dimes, topping his previous best of three and Marko Jaric matched his season-high with four steals.

Getting DefensiveFor the second consecutive game, the Timberwolves dug in on the defensive end. In victories over Philadelphia and Houston, Minnesota has held their opponents under 40 percent shooting from the field. Wednesday's effort, 34.8 percent (31-89) from the field for the Rockets, was close to the Wolves opponent low for the season of 38.4 (28-73) percent at Cleveland on Nov. 17. The 76ers shot 39.0 percent (30-77) in falling to the Wolves 95-84 on Sunday. The combined shooting percentage for Minnesota opponents in the last two games is 37.8. And, along with holding Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming below their season averages (as mentioned above), they held the league's second leading point per game man (Allen Iverson, 31.6) to 26 on Sunday.